Genesis 34:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And make ye marriages with us, [and] give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and intermarry with us: give your daughters to us, and take our daughters for yourselves.

Berean Standard Bible:

Intermarry with us; give us your daughters, and take our daughters for yourselves.

American Standard Version:

And make ye marriages with us; give your daughters unto us, and take our daughters unto you.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And make ye marriages^{H2859} with us, and give^{H5414} your daughters^{H1323} unto us, and take^{H3947} our daughters^{H1323} unto you.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 34:9

Genesis 34:9 is part of the narrative known as "The Rape of Dinah," which occurs in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. This chapter recounts the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob (also known as Israel) and Leah.

**Themes:**
1. **Violence and Retribution:** The verse reflects the aftermath of the rape of Dinah by Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, who was the prince of the land where Jacob's family settled. The proposal for intermarriage comes as a condition for the perpetrator, Shechem, to marry Dinah properly and for the integration of Jacob's family into the local community after the violent act.

2. **Deception and Integrity:** The theme of deception arises as Jacob's sons deceptively agree to the intermarriage proposal, on the condition that all the men of the city of Shechem undergo circumcision, which was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. This agreement is made with the intent to weaken the men and take revenge, rather than a genuine interest in integration or peace.

3. **Cultural and Religious Identity:** The verse highlights the tension between maintaining a distinct cultural and religious identity (as seen in the insistence on circumcision) and the pressures of assimilation into a surrounding culture.

4. **Moral and Ethical Dilemmas:** The actions of the characters raise questions about morality, justice, and the treatment of women in the society of the time. The narrative does not shy away from portraying the complex moral decisions faced by the characters, including the use of violence as a response to violence.

**Historical Context:**
The events in Genesis 34 likely reflect the period of the early Israelites when they were a semi-nomadic people living among various Canaanite groups. The story illustrates the challenges faced by these early Hebrew tribes as they sought to preserve their identity and traditions while interacting with other cultures. The historical context also includes the practice of endogamy (marrying within one's own social group) as a means of maintaining tribal cohesion and religious identity, which was common among many ancient Near Eastern groups, including the Israelites.

In summary, Genesis 34:9 is situated within a complex narrative that deals with themes of violence, deception, cultural identity, and moral decision-making. It reflects the historical context of early Israelite interactions with neighboring Canaanite peoples and the importance of maintaining cultural and religious boundaries.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2859
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָתַן
   Transliteration: châthan
   Pronunciation: khaw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage; join in affinity, father in law, make marriages, mother in law, son in law.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.